Match day guide and preview for the 2022 AFL round 17 game between the Sydney Swans and Western Bulldogs.

Match details

Who: Sydney Swans vs Western Bulldogs

When: Friday 8 July, 7.50pm AEST

Where: SCG

Weather: Max 16. Chance of rain 5%

Click here to buy tickets.

Head-to-head record since 1980: Played 65. Swans 31 wins. Bulldogs 34 wins.

Teams

UPDATE: The Swans have made a late change with Ryan Clarke coming in for Braeden Campbell. Harry Cunningham is the medi-sub for Sydney and Robbie McComb is for the Dogs.

Swans

IN: Joel Amartey, Peter Ladhams, Ryan Clarke

OUT: Logan McDonald (omitted), Tom Hickey (illness), Braeden Campbell (omitted)

The Swans lose an important player with Hickey to miss yet another game, while young forward McDonald has been dropped after a quiet patch of form. Ladhams comes in to be the number one ruckman, while Amartey can play forward and pinch hit in the ruck.

Bulldogs

IN: Ed Richards, Mitch Hannan, Tim English

OUT: Hayden Crozier (omitted), Jordon Sweet (omitted), Robbie McComb (omitted), Tim O’Brien (omitted)

The Dogs receive a huge boost with English coming in, while Richards and Hannan return. Coach Luke Beveridge has dropped four from the team that last to Brisbane by 41 points with Crozier, Sweet, McComb and O’Brien all omitted.

Click here for complete team line-ups.

Season so far

Sydney Swans 8^th – 117.1% | 1344 points for | 1148 points against | 9 wins 6 losses | LWLWW

The Swans’ top 4 hopes took a huge blow after a loss to Essendon and they now find themselves in a desperate race to hang onto a spot in the 8.

Sydney have struggled to put consistent four quarter performances together all season and that was again the case last week.

After a fast start, Sydney suffered a second quarter lapse that allowed Essendon back into the game. Inaccuracy was also a major factor in Sydney’s loss as they kicked 12.14 compared to Essendon’s 15.5.

The constant lapses within games has been a feature of the Swans’ season and it’s a problem they must rectify quickly if they are to remain in the finals.

Western Bulldogs 10^th – 115.7% | 1419 points for | 1226 points against | 8 wins 7 losses | LWWLW

Last year’s grand finalists have endured a difficult 2022 campaign with a number of off field issues coupled with some inconsistent performances on field.

They had plenty on the line against Brisbane last week, but they simply couldn’t get the job done, going down by 41 points despite winning the inside 50s by seven.

Their midfield is as good as any team on paper, but it has been at either end of the field where they have struggled with no quality depth in the key forwards or key defenders.

A loss here would likely see them fall two games outside of the top 8, so it is simply a must win contest for a side once considered premiership contenders.

Last 5 meetings and SCG history

• 2022 round 3: Bulldogs 9.17 (71) defeat Swans 9.6 (60) at Marvel Stadium
• 2021 round 17: Bulldogs 8.12 (60) lost to Swans 11.13 (79) at Marvel Stadium
• 2020 round 4: Swans 5.9 (39) lost to Bulldogs 10.7 (67) at SCG
• 2019 round 1: Bulldogs 11.16 (82) defeat Swans 9.11 (65) at Marvel Stadium
• 2018 round 4: Bulldogs 11.13 (79) lost to Swans 13.8 (86) at Marvel Stadium

The Dogs have won three of the last five encounters, including an 11-point win earlier this season at Marvel Stadium.

They were clearly the better side throughout the night but didn’t make the most of their chances as the Swans made a late run that ultimately came up short.

In their last ten meetings at the SCG dating back to 2006, the Swans hold a 6-4 edge, however the Bulldogs have won three of the last four.

Another interesting note is that in the past eight meetings between the sides, the Bulldogs have a convincing 192-130 edge in free kicks so the Swans will have to watch their discipline.

Key players

Sydney – Chad Warner

Warner is having a terrific breakout season and was one of the few bright lights for Sydney last week.

The 21-year-old midfielder racked up 25 touches, 13 inside 50s, 7 clearances, 3 goals and 2 goal assists in a stunning display.

He has quickly become one of Sydney’s most important players through his ability to burst from stoppages and cause damage with his disposal.

The Swans were belted in the midfield when they played the Bulldogs earlier this season, so Warner and the rest of the Swans’ midfield will be keen to make amends.

Bulldogs – Marcus Bontempelli

Bontempelli is undoubtedly one of the best players in the AFL and while he’s been slightly down on last year’s form, the Dogs skipper is still having a solid year.

The 26-year-old has mixed his time between the midfield and forward this season and has kicked a goal in all but one game so far (last week vs Brisbane).

This is such an important game for the Bulldogs and you feel like they might just need a captain’s knock from Bontempelli to help keep their season alive.

Pre match predictions

Amartey Party: Joel Amartey to kick three goals in his return.

English lesson: Tim English to dominate in the ruck and to kick a goal.